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Rui He (Prunus persica var. ansu Seed)

Sweet in taste, warm or slightly cold in nature, non-toxic. It primarily treats evil qi stagnation and accumulation in the heart and abdomen, brightens the eyes, treats redness of the eyes, pain-induced tearing, swelling and ulceration of the eyelids, nasal disorders, and phlegm-stagnation palpitations in the epigastrium. Long-term consumption lightens the body, benefits qi, and prevents hunger. It grows in Hangu Valley and Baxi.

Tao Hongjing stated: Currently, it comes from the north, said to originate from the Pengcheng area. Its shape is like a black soybean, round and flat, with textures, resembling walnut kernels or peach pits. Nowadays, people weigh it with the shell included for dosage; this should be weighed after cracking open to take the kernel. Medical prescriptions use it solely for treating eye diseases. The *Immortal Classics* combine it into Shouzhong Wan (Guarding the Center Pill). Minister Yuxi and others respectfully note according to the *Shu Ben Tu Jing*: It grows on trees, leaves are slender like goji berries but narrower and longer. Flowers are white, fruits grow attached to stems, purple-red in color, as large as Schisandra chinensis fruit. Stems have many fine thorns. It ripens in June. It is currently produced in Yongzhou. Collected in May and June, dried in the sun. *Yao Xing Lun* states: Rui Ren (kernel), serves as a guide drug. Also known as Kan. It can treat epistaxis (nosebleed).

*TU JING* records: Rui He grows in Hangu Valley and Baxi, and is now also found in Hedong. The tree is five to seven chi high, with thorns between stems. Leaves are slender like goji berries but pointed and long, flowers are white, fruits are red-purple, growing attached to branches and stems, resembling Schisandra chinensis fruit. It matures in June; fruits are collected in May and June, kernels and shells removed, and dried in shade. Ancient and modern formulas use it only for treating eye diseases. Liu Yuxi's *Chuan Xin Fang* describes the most unique method. It says: For wind-tearing and itching of the eyes, or formation of corneal opacities (nebula), or redness, it treats all these conditions. Take Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma) from Xuanzhou, pound and sieve into powder; take Rui Ren kernel, remove skin, and grind into paste. Because its nature is slightly moist, the powder must not be too dry. Mix equal parts of Huanglian powder and Rui Ren paste. Take three dry dates without disease, cut off a small portion of the top and keep it aside, remove the pit, fill the cavity completely with the two substances, replace the cut date top, wrap tightly with a small amount of cotton cloth (thin cotton is best). Use half a bowl of water measured by a large tea bowl, decoct in a silver vessel using alternating mild and strong heat until reduced to the volume of one chicken egg. Filter through cotton cloth, wait until cool, and instill into eyes. This is infallible. Dozens of trials before and after were effective; nowadays physicians also use it frequently with good results, so it is appended here.

Lei Gong said: Whenever used, first soak in hot water, remove skin and tips, split into two halves. Use Mangxiao (Natrii Sulfas) and Mutong Cao (Akebiae Caulis) together with Rui Ren, boil together for one fu period (approx. 8 hours), then drain. Remove other drugs, take out Rui Ren, grind into paste, and add to medicines as desired. For every four liang processed, use one liang of Mangxiao and seven liang of Mutong Chen. Chen Cangqi recorded: Rui Zi, raw or cooked, treats excessive sleepiness and insomnia.